Please note that due to different timelines of implementing new professional body requirements, the course application forms are now different depending on what stage the university is at in the process.

Course Types

1. Independent Prescribing

‘The prescriber takes responsibility for the clinical assessment of the patient, establishing a diagnosis and the clinical management required, as well as for prescribing where necessary and the appropriateness of any prescription.’

‘A voluntary partnership between an Independent Prescriber (doctor or dentist) and a Supplementary Prescriber to implement an agreed patient specific Clinical Management Plan (CMP), with the patient’s agreement.’

The initial medical assessment and diagnosis is made by the Independent Prescriber (doctor or dentist) and subsequent management and prescribing for the patient is carried out by the Supplementary Prescriber following a jointly agreed clinical management plan with the patient’s agreement.

For diagnostic radiographers and dietitians: 30 or 40 academic credits at Level 6 or 7.

Duration: 38 days

3. Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribing

The Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribing qualification has two routes:

V100 – forms part of the Community Specialist Practitioner programme

V150 – is a stand-alone programme comprising 10 taught days plus 10 days learning in practice; over approximately 5 months. (Qualification will enable the nurse to prescribe from the Community Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary only).

Who can I do NMP qualifications?

At present, both Independent and Supplementary prescribing frameworks are open to suitably qualified and experienced nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, therapeutic radiographers and paramedics. Diagnostic radiographers and dietitians undertake the same programme of preparation focusing on the development of a Supplementary Prescribing role.

All candidates have to be numerate. Assessment on the NMP course includes a numeracy component which candidates have to pass with a 100% pass mark. If prospective candidates have concerns about their numeracy, advice should be sought from their NMP Lead or the individual Universities.

Programme Delivery: Key facts

On successful completion of the programme you will be eligible to apply to your regulatory body to record your qualification as a prescriber, without which you cannot legally prescribe.

The programme is normally delivered over a period of 3-6 months.

Independent, supplementary and community practitioner nurse prescriber programmes are delivered as stand-alone programmes. Some HEIs allow the NMP programmes to be undertaken as an optional module within a larger award.

The learning outcomes and assessment strategies of the programmes must meet the standards laid down by the Department of Health and relevant professional regulatory bodies for Non-Medical Prescribing.

Course entry criteria

Submission of a fully completed application form. Applications will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Appropriate registration with the relevant professional regulatory body: this will be checked upon receipt of the application form.

Sufficient post registration experience to meet the requirements of your professional regulatory body.

Evidence of a satisfactory enhanced DBS within 3 years of the programme start date. Responsibility for application to the DBS rests with the programme applicant and is normally applied for by his/her employer.

Independent and/or supplementary prescribing applicants: nomination by the applicant of an appropriate prescriber to supervise and assess their developing prescribing practice and confirms their agreement to undertake this role. The Supervisor/Assessor must be sufficiently impartial to the outcome of the student and wherever possible should not be the same persons sponsoring the student to undertake the programme. Click here for useful NPC training information for mentors.

HEIs are currently going through a transitional period with regard to Supervisor/Assessor roles (Sep 19-Sep21). This is in response to the adoption of new regulatory body standards that allow suitably qualified non medical prescribers to act as Supervisors and Assessors. It is important to check the specific requirements for each university.

Community Practitioner Nurse prescriber (V150) applicants: nomination by the applicant of a practice assessor who meets the NMC criteria for sign off mentor and has current status on the employers register. The sign off mentor must confirm their agreement to undertake this role. He/she must be sufficiently impartial to the outcome of the student and wherever possible should not be the same person sponsoring the student to undertake the programme.

The applicant should normally be nominated by their employer who should also confirm their competence to undertake the programme and the clinical need within the applicants role to undertake the programme.

All applicants must demonstrate appropriate clinical governance arrangements are in place to support their prescribing practice once qualified.

To note: applicants should confirm the specific requirements of their professional regulatory body and the HEI to which they wish to apply.

Who can be my prescribing Supervisor/Assessor?

Each professional body has their own specific requirements. There has been a recent update to standards in recognition of skills and experience of existing non medical prescribers. This is seen as “an opportunity to draw on the expertise of different prescribing professions in the development of future NMPs and improves access to prescribing opportunities to the wider workforce” (RPS, 2019).

Universities are in the process of seeking regulatory body approval to adopt these standards.

Who you can nominate as your Supervisor/Assessor will vary from university to university. You must check with the university you are applying to and complete their own application form.

We will provide more detail on the roles below as more information becomes available:

Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP)

Practice Assessor

Practice Supervisor

Prescribing Supervisor

Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP)

Where can I do an NMP course?

You can choose from a number of Universities to study NMP. Some courses require full attendance at university (26 days) plus the minimum 12 supervised practice days. However, many HEIs now provide the opportunity to study by distance learning, which includes some attendance (the number of days will vary depending on the HEI), workbooks and electronic learning. Additional private study is required in addition (as for all programmes of study). It is important to identify before submitting your application, how you will manage to complete the required attendance, practice time and private study within the course duration. It is also important to check before submitting your application your universities requirements for your Supervisor/Assessor of your learning in practice.

Click here to open a spreadsheet with information on when and where prescribing courses are running.
The information presented is accurate at the time of presentation, but subject to change. Applicants should confirm all details with the University provider of their choice.

Course Assessment

The assessment strategy will vary depending on the HEI and the programme but may include:

Preparation for the Non-Medical Prescribing (NMP) programmes

Before applying it is recommended that you access the following resources to consider your readiness to undertake a prescribing programme.

1. Drug Calculations.

1. Drug CalculationsWhat level of drug calculation skill is required?

Students need to be confident with SI unit conversion, basic calculation skills for drug dosage and pack size, along with consideration of cost.

The following links and resources are aimed at helping prospective students get a feel for the level of mathematics and drug calculations required for practice, and to give students confidence for undertaking the drug calculation assessment within the course.

Are you able to study at a minimum of Level 6 (previously known also as Level 3)?

Will the undertaking of this role bring benefits to patients?

Has your organisation got the clinical governance procedures in place to support safe prescribing?

Have you identified a prescribing Supervisor/Assessor (Independent & Supplementary prescribing)?

Will you have the required access to patient records in order to be able to prescribe safely?

Has a budget been identified for your prescriptions?

How will you obtain prescription pads or access to electronic prescribing systems?

How will your competency be maintained?

Do you require additional training in consultation, examination and therapeutics?

Potential applicants in the North West should also refer to the Application Forms available to download on the ‘How to apply’ link on this page.

How to apply

You may be able to apply for an NHS funded place. It is advisable to make contact with your NMP Lead or North West NMP Project Manager before beginning the process.

If privately funding the prescribing programme, you will still need to complete the relevant form and liaise with the university directly (contact details listed above).

1. Choose a University

The first step in applying for a programme in Non-Medical Prescribing is to choose a university, and complete the application form below. You can do the programme through any of the universities listed above.

Nurse applicants should ensure that they choose the relevant application form; either for the Community Nurse Practitioners programme (for nurses without a specialist practitioner qualification who wish to become prescribers) or for Independent and Supplementary Prescribing.

Please ensure that you complete the correct application form for your chosen university.

HEIs are currently going through a transitional period with regard to Supervisor/Assessor roles (Sep 19-Sep21). This is in response to the adoption of new regulatory body standards that allow suitably qualified non medical prescribers to act as Supervisors and Assessors. Click here to download the correct application form.

2. Contact your Non Medical Prescribing Lead

Applicants should contact their organisation’s Non-Medical Prescribing Lead/Prescribing Governance Lead for more information, advice and approval. Their role is to help guide you through the application process and confirm approval on behalf of the organisation.

3. Complete and sign the relevant form

After downloading the form fill it in and get the relevant sections completed.

Applicants to Independent/Supplementary prescribing programmes: the application will need to be completed by your line manager, the Supervisor/Assessor, and your Non-Medical Prescribing Lead.

Applicants to community practitioner nurse prescribing programmes: the application will need to be completed by your line manager, the sign off mentor, Practice Education Facilitator (PEF) and your Non-Medical Prescribing Lead.

Once complete, send it to the university contact address shown. Please note, some universities may have additional requirements and applicants are advised to check with the university contact listed above, especially where applicants are making an application which is independent of their employer.

4. Pre Course Numeracy Assessment

Applicants working for the NHS, in the NW region must complete an on-line pre course numeracy assessment to which your NMP lead will provide access.

Individuals applying to prescribe as independent practitioners can also complete the numeracy assessment (although not a requirement) by clicking here. Type in ‘self funder’.

5. Return your application form

Application forms should be returned to one university of choice only.